Abstract
This study analyzed data from 1009 participants to examine the relationship between information sources on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and beliefs in a supreme being. Results revealed a significant correlation between JWST information sources and changes in belief. Facebook, church/mosque, and religious leaders were identified as influential factors if intelligent alien life were discovered by JWST. Libraries ranked as crucial unbiased sources of JWST information. The study underscores the importance of accessing reliable information, utilizing libraries, and engaging in informed discussions within religious organizations. It highlights the potential impact of discovering extraterrestrial life on religious beliefs and suggests the need for open dialogue. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into how information sources can shape beliefs and advocates for an informed approach to JWST information dissemination.
TopIntroduction
On December 25th, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, South America, after numerous years of construction and delays. The JWST, a $10 billion observatory, is the world's largest and most powerful telescope (Greenfieldboyce, 2021), developed in collaboration between NASA, a prime contractor team led by Northrop Grumman Space Technology, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. This telescope is intended to succeed the extraordinarily successful Hubble Space Telescope by allowing astronomers to see the first generations of stars.
The JWST aims to explore a wide range of astronomical issues, with four main themes: first light and reionization, galaxy development, the formation of stars and protoplanetary systems, and planetary systems and the origins of life. However, the media, especially NASA, have publicized JWST's primary goals, which are steeped in evolutionary philosophy. NASA's webpage states that the major aims of JWST are to research galaxy, star, and planet formation in the cosmos. To see the first stars and galaxies that formed in the early universe, we must look deep into space to look back in time, which alludes to cosmological evolution, specifically referencing the Big Bang, which many Abrahamic religious groups reject (Webb, 2022).
However, if more people become aware of JWST through various sources, there is a risk that the atheistic worldview that dominates the beliefs of many in the cosmological community will impact religious people's belief in a supreme being. Many people predict that JWST will validate the Big Bang theory and may even find extraterrestrial life in space. Depending on where people obtain information about JWST, whether through social media, friends, religious institutions, or libraries, it may have a lasting influence on them. This occurs at a time when fake news is becoming more prevalent worldwide (Adetayo, 2021). Libraries for example are known to provide unbiased and high-quality information to users. Would the use of libraries as a source of JWST information influence people's beliefs about God? Many people are curious about these and other issues. This study aims to investigate the influence of JWST information sources on changes in belief in a supreme being, given the above context. Furthermore, this research seeks to explore the role of artificial intelligence in JWST.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Libraries: Institutions that collect, organize, and provide access to information resources, such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, and other materials. Libraries can be public or private, academic or non-academic, and can serve a variety of purposes, including research, education, and community service. In recent years, libraries have expanded their offerings to include digital resources, such as e-books, online databases, and digital archives.
James Webb Space Telescope: A large, infrared-optimized space telescope designed to observe the universe's most distant objects and to study the formation of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. Named after James E. Webb, who was NASA's administrator during the 1960s, the telescope is set to launch in 2021.
Information Sources: Any person, organization, or medium that provides information on a particular subject. Information sources can include books, journals, newspapers, websites, databases, government documents, interviews, and personal communication. The quality and reliability of information sources can vary widely, and it is important to evaluate them critically.
Supreme Being: A term used in theology and philosophy to refer to a deity or a God who is believed to be the creator of the universe and the source of all moral authority. The concept of a supreme being is central to many religions, including monotheistic faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.